Grammar 7.

Type of sentence (2)

Unit 1. Task 1 – Line graph

Complex sentence & Compound-complex sentences

Theory
Complex sentence
Structure A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and one or more
subordinate clause.
Examples There will be less traffic congestion when the city extends the subway lines.
independent clause conjunction subordinate clause
I walked to work yesterday even though it was raining.
independent clause conjunction subordinate clause
I know that he’s going to be late
subordinate clause independent clause (noun clause)
He is the man who lives here.
independent clause subordinate clause (relative clause)

Subordinating conjunctions
Conjunction Use Example
because, as, since show reason I use public transportation because I
don’t like driving.
although, even show a contradiction or Sam bought an expensive car though
though, though, while contrast he doesn’t have much money
after, as, before, since, show time or sequence When I got on the bus, I paid the fare.
until, when, while
if, unless show condition I won’t go outside if it rains.

Relative clauses
Usage Example
which (for things and animals) Did you see the film which was on TV last night?
who (for people) I admire Jude, who always works hard on his films.
when (for times) Do you remember the day when we met?
where (for places) This is the town where Albert Einstein was born.

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 why (for reasons) That’s the reason why he’s so popular.
whom (for people as the object Is that the man whom we saw at the cinema
of the relative clause) yesterday?
whose (for possession) That’s the man whose sister discovered a new planet.

Compound-complex sentence
Structure A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and
one or more subordinate clauses.
Examples Many people have quit smoking, but others continue the habit
independent clause independent clause
even though the dangers are well known.
subordinate clause
I bought a house in the country, and I will move there soon
independent clause independent clause
because I am tired of city life.
subordinate clause

Practice
Exercise 1. Categorize the following sentences into four types of sentence structures listed
below. write the number in the blanks.
1. Simple sentence 2. Compound sentence
3. Complex sentence 4. Compound-complex sentence

……………… 1. Several new kinds of plants sprang up in the garden, but they were not good
enough.
……………… 2. Alice could not think of any good reason, and as the Caterpillar seemed to be in
a very unpleasant state of mind, she turned away.
……………… 3. During the visit to her mother’s house, the cook threw a frying-pan at her.
……………… 4. The birthday party must be delayed because the dog ate the cake.
……………… 5. Although Sara called out for Charlie, no one answered, and Sara was scared.
……………… 6. James noticed that the Queen was quickly moving up behind him.
……………… 7. Some of the jury wrote it down.
……………… 8. After he stayed up all night, he finally finished the project that he had put off for
three weeks.

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……………… 9. The long grass rustled at her feet as the White Rabbit hurried by the garden.
……………… 10. In the beginning of the novel, Nick arrives in town late at night.
……………… 11. The Queen put on her spectacles and began staring at the Hatter, who turned
pale and fidgeted.
……………… 12. Alice began in a loud, indignant voice, but she stopped hastily.
……………… 13. The hedgehog was engaged in a fight with another hedgehog.
……………… 14. Mindfully, Jared thought his words through very carefully before speaking.

Exercise 2. Complete the sentences with the appropriate subordinating conjunctions from
the word box.
even though before since until
because (x3) when whenever while

1. Samantha is happy ……………………………. she won the championship.

2. Jean was cleaning the table ……………………………. her mom was doing the dishes.
3. ……………………………. Dan was sick, he went to work.
4. Samantha can’t relax ……………………………. her exams are over.
5. Liza hasn’t seen her aunt ……………………………. she was a teenager.
6. Patricia visits the zoo ……………………………. she loves animals.
7. We put away our toys ……………………………. Mom returns from work.
8. ……………………………. Brian watered all the plants, I didn’t have to.
9. We were surprises ……………………………. the magician pulled the rabbit out of the hat.
10. ……………………………. Mom goes shopping, she brings a treat for me.

Exercise 3. Underline each main clause once and each subordinate clause twice.
1. Pam knew where the park was, and she gave us directions.

2. After our team won, we decided to celebrate, so we led a parade through town.

3. When the committee met, witnesses testified about poor living conditions, and experts

suggested improvements.

4. Sharon has been studying piano since she was six years old, and she enjoys it.

5. Greg said that we should start without him, but we waited anyway.

6. If he wants to join us, he needs to ask the man who invited us to the party, or he can stay

home.

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7. The bookstore ordered the items that Tim requested, and he is waiting for them.

8. The mayor outlined his plane, which was very complicated, and then reporters asked

questions about it.

Exercise 4. Choose the correct answer.

1. ………………. he worked hard all year long, he wasn’t able to buy his father an expensive gift.
A. Since B. Even though C. Because
2. ………………. he didn’t have much money, he wasn’t able to buy his father an expensive gift.
A. Because B. Even though C. Although
3. ………………. he didn’t have much money, he was still able to buy an expensive gift for his
father.
A. Unless B. As long as C. Although
4. ………………. he works hard all year long, he won’t be able to buy his father an expensive gift.
A. Since B. Unless C. Once
5. ………………. he worked hard all year long and was able to earn a lot of money, he bought his
father a very expensive gift.
A. Though B. Since C. Although
6. ………………. spend a lot of money on a gift, he made a present for his father.
A. Rather than B. Before C. If only
7. ………………. he buys his father an expensive gift, he won’t buy anything for himself.
A. Until B. After C. When
8. ………………. he was shopping for an expensive gift for his father, he realized he didn’t have
any money.
A. Unless B. Even if C. While
9. ………………. he bought an expensive gift for his father, he felt tremendous joy.
A. Till B. Unless C. When
10. ………………. he buys his father an expensive gift, he needs to make sure he has enough
money.
A. Before B. After C. Unless

Exercise 5. Match two halves to make a correct sentence.

1. I am going to the bank … a. we’ll look for another consultant.
2. Although it is raining, … b. since he was an honest man.
3. Unless she finishes her homework soon, … c. because I need some money.
4. In case he isn’t available, …

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 5. They won’t come next week …
6. He decided to trust Tim …
7. Jennifer decided to leave Tom …
8. Dennis bought a new jacket …
9. Brandley claims that there will be trouble …
10. Janice will have finished the report …
d. even though he had received one as a
gift last week.
e. she’s going for a walk in the park.
f. unless you ask them to do so.
g. she will fail the class.
h. if he doesn’t complete the job.
i. as he was too worried about his job.
k. by the time you receive the letter.

1 - ……………… 2 - ……………… 3 - ……………… 4 - ……………… 5 - ………………

6 - ……………… 7 - ……………… 8 - ……………… 9 - ……………… 10 - ………………

Exercise 6. Write sentences with the given words to complete the IELTS Writing task 1.

The graph below shows the average number of UK commuters travelling each day by car,
bus or train between 1970 and 2030.

The line graph compares figures for daily travel by workers in the UK using three different
forms of transport over a period of 60 years.
1. (It / clear / the car / by far / the most popular / means of transport / UK commuters / the
period / show) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
2. (Also, / while / numbers / people / use / car / train / increase gradually / , / number / bus
users / fall steadily) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
3. (In 1970 / around 5 million / UK commuter / travel / car / a daily basis, / while / bus / train
/ use / by / about / 4 million / 2 million / people / respectively) ……………………….………….………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
4. (In / year / 2000 / number / those / drive to work / rise / 7 million / and / number /
commuting rail passenger / reach / 3 million) …………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
However, there was a small drop of approximately 0.5 million in the number of bus users.
5. (By 2030 / number / people / commute / car / expect / reach / almost 9 million, / and /
number / train user / also / predict / rise, / nearly 5 million) ……………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
By contrast, buses are predicted to become a less popular choice, with only 3 million daily
users.

Exercise 7. Choose the correct answer.

IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people believe that hobbies need to be difficult to be enjoyable. To what extent do
you agree or disagree?
Some hobbies are relatively easy, 1. while / when / however others present more of a
challenge. Personally, I believe that both types of hobby can be fun, and I 2. however / although
/ therefore disagree with the statement that hobbies need to be difficult in order to be
enjoyable.
On the one hand, many people enjoy easy hobbies. One example of an activity that is easy for
most people is swimming. This hobby requires very little equipment, it is simple to learn,
3. since /and / but it is inexpensive. I remember learning to swim at my local swimming pool
4. while / during /when I was a child, and it never felt like a demanding or challenging
experience. Another hobby that I find easy and fun is photography. In my opinion, anyone can
take interesting pictures without knowing too much about the technicalities of operating a
camera. Despite being straightforward, taking photos is a satisfying activity.
On the other hand, difficult hobbies can sometimes be more exciting. 5. While / If / Unless an
activity is more challenging, we might feel a greater sense of satisfaction when we manage
to do it successfully. For example, film editing is a hobby that requires a high level of

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knowledge and expertise. In my case, it took me around two years 6. since / after / before I
became competent at this activity, 7. but / so / and now I enjoy it much more than I did when
I started. I believe that many hobbies give us more pleasure when we reach a higher level of
performance 8. although / because / unless the results are better and the feeling of
achievement is greater.
In conclusion, simple hobbies can be fun and relaxing, but difficult hobbies can be equally
pleasurable for different reasons.

Exercise 8. Combine the sentences to make one complex sentence. Using the given
conjunctions.
1. Henry needs to learn English. I will teach him. (as)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. It was raining outside. We went for a walk. (even though)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Jenny needs to ask me. I will buy it for her. (if)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Yvonne played golf extremely well. She was very young. (when)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. Franklin wants to get a new job. He is preparing for job interviews. (because)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. Cindy and David had breakfast. They left for work. (after)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7. I really enjoyed the concert. The music was too loud. (although)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

8. Alexander has been working sixty hours a week. There is an important presentation next

week. (as)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

9. I usually work out at the gym early in the morning. I leave for work at eight a.m. (before)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10. The car was extremely expensive. Bob didn't have much money. He bought the car.

(though)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Exercise 9. Combine the sentences to make one compound-complex sentence.
1. Susan teaches the kids who live in the neighborhood. They meet in the evenings after she
comes home from work.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. The doctor wants to prescribe physical therapy, and he asked me to see a specialist. He
recommended Dr. Smith.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Anthony told us about the assembly of the products. Unfortunately, he didn't tell us about
where they were made.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. We managed to finish the exercise on time and passed the exam. However, it was very
difficult.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. The man spoke little English. Mary understood him, but couldn't help.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. We didn't have much time, so we didn't read the final chapter. However, we still enjoyed
the book.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
7. We will miss our father greatly. He taught us many lessons. Those lessons have helped us
succeed in life.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8. The eagles attract many tourists. They live in the local mountain range. Unfortunately, the
politicians still refuse to protect them.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
9. We finished our work early, so we decided to go out for a drink. We went to Allan's Pub.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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10. The students who attended the university went on strike. They protested the tuition
hikes.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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